Marketplace Upheaval

Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion, East Wing Quiet Room.

Chen Heng sat cross-legged, mana flowing through his fingertips as he tried to capture the elusive rhythm of the wind.

Cultivating the "Soaring with the Wind" required extremely high comprehension and perception.

When the Water and Fire True Essence, primarily based on the "Water Fire Defense Scripture," circulated within his body, there was always a subtle, almost imperceptible resistance between it and the ethereal, formless wind spiritual energy in the void.

The stillness of water and the agitation of fire seemed incompatible with the light, flowing nature of the wind.

He frowned slightly and slowly withdrew his technique.

It was indeed not easy to get a glimpse of this movement technique.

The faint commotion from outside interrupted his thoughts; the disturbance near the west gate of Southern Foothills Market seemed particularly loud.

With a creak, his uncle Chen Xing Shan pushed the door open, a look of surprise and solemnity on his face. "Heng'er, something has happened in the market!"

"Oh?" Chen Heng knew exactly what was going on, but feigned a suitable look of confusion.

"That Young Master Luo Yu Lei from the Luo family was just found in a pile of rocks outside the west gate of the market... his clothes disheveled and his appearance disheveled!"

"It's said he suffered heavy losses. Not only was his storage bag stolen, but even his Qi Refining seventh-layer bodyguard, Luo San Mu, is dead!"

"The Luo family is furious. Their Foundation Establishment Ancestor, Luo Yuan Nan, who is in charge of guarding the market, has personally ordered a lockdown of the entire market and a thorough investigation of all suspicious individuals, especially any cultivators who have recently entered or exited the Bamboo Branch Mountain direction!"

Chen Xing Shan spoke quickly, with a hint of lingering fear. "Fortunately, you returned yesterday."

"Such a thing has happened?" Chen Heng pretended to be shocked, then said gravely, "Luo Yu Lei's behavior is arrogant and overbearing; he must have offended many people. But this is too bold, to attack a direct descendant of the Luo family near the market."

His tone carried a hint of schadenfreude-tinged surprise, while also subtly pointing out Luo Yu Lei's usual tendency to make enemies, thus distancing himself from the incident.

Chen Xing Shan nodded in agreement. "Who's to say otherwise! You must be careful when you go out and about these days. Don't provoke trouble for no reason. The Luo family is like rabid dogs right now."

After he finished his worried admonition, he hurried away to attend to the Artifact Pavilion's affairs.

Chen Heng closed the door, a faint, cold smile appearing on his face.

Luo Yu Lei's reaction was exactly as he had expected—his reputation ruined, too ashamed to reveal the true process of his humiliation, he could only vent his anger on the seemingly plausible excuse of "ambush and robbery."

A full market investigation?

Even if the Luo family searched the Bamboo Branch Mountain direction until they were blue in the face, they wouldn't find any evidence pointing to him.

After all, those real "robbers" had long since turned to dust.

On the other side.

Southern Foothills Market, a secluded cave dwelling in the southern district.

In the quiet room, Wen Ning's face was still a little pale. Yesterday, she had forced herself to handle the aftermath of the scene and return to the market. In her shock and fear, her injuries seemed to have worsened.

The sudden tense atmosphere in the market made her heart pound with anxiety.

The news of the Luo family's direct descendant being attacked and stripped spread like wildfire, with various embellished versions circulating wildly among the rogue cultivators.

She clenched an inconspicuous communication jade slip in her sleeve.

According to their agreement, if Chen Heng had any instructions, he would activate this sub-slip to contact her.

Just as Wen Ning was feeling uneasy, the jade slip in her hand warmed slightly. She quickly checked the message:

"Don't worry. Southern Foothills Market is not the Luo family's sole domain. They won't find any trace of you. For the time being, just rest and recover from your injuries in the cave dwelling."

"Also, do you know if there is a black market in Southern Foothills Market?"

The voice was calm, with a power that soothed the heart.

Upon hearing this, Wen Ning's heart immediately settled.

Just as they had discussed in the cave dwelling on Bamboo Branch Mountain, Chen Heng had already anticipated the Luo family's reaction.

She immediately sent a message back: "Thank you, Young Master, for your concern. Your servant has taken medicine to control her injuries, and they are not serious. As for the black market... this servant knows of one, near Mud Bottle Alley in the east district, called 'Ghost Alley Entrance'."

"It seems to be backed by the Myriad Treasures Pavilion. The rules are very strict, but it is relatively safe and can handle tricky items. When will Young Master need it?"

"Let's get through this storm first. I will await your message then." Chen Heng sent a short message.

The warmth of the jade slip immediately disappeared.

Wen Ning breathed a sigh of relief, her palms covered in cold sweat. As a mere rogue cultivator, she naturally felt a sense of awe towards families like the Luo family, which had Foundation Establishment cultivators guarding them for generations.

If it weren't for her desire to explore Water Wood Hermit's cave dwelling, she wouldn't have boarded the pirate ship with Wang Yi, Li Zheng, and the others.

In the end, to save her life, she had gotten herself entangled.

But fortunately, she was still alive.

Immediately, a look of determination flashed in her eyes. The Dao Vow had been made, and now her life and fortune rested on Chen Heng's whim.

The sense of humiliation that had been suppressed deep in her heart began to quietly transform.

After a moment of thought, Wen Ning took out the two jade slips containing the "Azure Nether True Essence Art" and the "Gui Water Vitality Cultivation Art" and began to study them.

The "Azure Nether True Essence Art" was a Foundation Establishment cultivation method, far superior to the common "Water Element Cultivation Art" she was currently practicing.

She guessed that if she successfully switched her cultivation, she should be able to reach Qi Refining seventh layer, marking a significant leap forward.

As for the cultivation of the "Gui Water Vitality Cultivation Art," she also needed to learn it quickly and prepare for serving him at an early date.

Actually, in her eyes, Chen Heng could be considered handsome, with clear features, rosy lips, white teeth, and a good physique. He wasn't like the Luo Family's eldest young master, who was so young.

Even if they were to dual cultivate in the future, she wouldn't be at a disadvantage.

Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion's backyard.

Chen Heng stood by a small pool he had drawn water into. A faint light flickered at his fingertips, condensing into a water mirror.

The mirror reflected the bustling crowds at the west gate in the distance, the stern expressions of the Luo Family's enforcement cultivators, and the scene of them searching everywhere.

His fingertips moved slightly, and the water mirror dispersed.

Luo Yu Lei's anger was destined to have no outlet. After all, Chen Heng had already firmly placed himself outside the matter.

As for Wen Ning, under his arrangements, she had also fallen silent.

The Luo Family couldn't completely control Southern Foothills Market. After this period passed, the Luo Family would have to calm down.

The next step was to deal with the hot potato of stolen goods, especially the magical artifacts and magic robes bearing the clear imprint of the Luo Family.

The Ghost Alley Entrance, provided by Wen Ning, was a good place.

This black market actually had the shadow of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion behind it!?

That meant a reliable background and strict confidentiality, which suited him perfectly.

However, fencing stolen goods didn't necessarily mean selling them. Re-refining these magical artifacts and magic robes was also a method.

It was just that this would be quite a test for his artifact refining technique.

But knowing the existence of a black market was also a contingency.

With this thought, he closed his eyes again, his mind sinking into his comprehension of Soaring with the Wind.

The elusive agility in the wind and the harmony of water and fire seemed to have a subtle connection.

The path of cultivation emphasizes going with the flow; one cannot rush.

He turned and went back into the house, closing the door to the quiet room, shutting out the noise of the outside world.

For the next period, it was time to properly study the introductory chapter of Soaring with the Wind.

Only truly improved strength was the greatest confidence in dealing with all storms.

"Mud Bottle Alley... Ghost Alley Entrance..." Chen Heng murmured softly, unconsciously rubbing the edge of his storage bag with his fingertips, his mind already starting to plan the specific routes and security measures for fencing the stolen goods.

A sharp glint flashed in the depths of his calm eyes.